sunscreen

I try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Even a few years ago I had friends who would mock me for this. They were forever on the beach soaking up some rays.  Not anymore.  Several sunburns and sun damage removal later they are singing different tunes. I never thought that this would happen. Not the sun damage part, but the fact that less of my friends are sun worshippers.  The fact is the best way not to burn is to stay out of the sun. Sunblock helps, but the best way not to burn or have sun spots is to stay out of the sun.  I think that the laws of tznius actually help Jewish people get less sun damage. If you are more covered with clothing one is less likely to suffer from the ravages of the sun. If you are more covered up outside the heat will affect you more so you really better stay out of the sun. Being more clothed in the heat can cause you to pass out from the heat. This is why I opt to stay indoors with my air conditioning on. Wake me up when it's fall.

the d3 debate

recently magazines have been recommending people to get at least 10 minutes of unprotected sun each day to fulfill one's vitamin d3 quota for the day. i have also had a few friends report to me that they have had sun damage removed from their bodies. thought none had cancer or pre-cancerous damage it was still quite scary. even if one is hyper neurotic about sun protection and sun exposure one still runs the risk of contracting skin cancer, nonetheless one still must be diligent about protecting one's skin . this is why i find it baffling that women's magazines are recommending sun exposure to meet their vitamin d3 requirement. sun exposure is a way of acquiring vitamin d3 but its not the only way  . one can also take vitamin d3 supplements and they work.
my vitamin d levels were tested a year ago. they were very low. i usually do have at least 10 minutes of  daily unprotected sun accidentally. i often forget to apply sunblock in the mornings as i am rushing to go to work. even if one is diligent about sun protection, most people are not as diligent as they should be. but guess what? unless you are a farmer who is scantily clad you probably still won't get enough sun exposure to provide adequate vitamin d3 levels..if one is a modestly dressed woman how much is exposed to sunlight even if you are outside without sunblock? this of course is where the supplements come in. and folks, vitamin d3 supplements do work. my vitamin d3 levels have gone up.
supplements do raise vitamin d3 levels. be smart about sun exposure and don't rely on it for achieving the proper level of vitamin d3.